Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic efforts, alongside international engagement, were instrumental in thwarting a purported nuclear threat on Ukraine by Russia, as per a CNN report released on Saturday.
The report, referencing insights from two high-ranking officials, disclosed the United States had been actively preparing for the possibility of a nuclear assault by Russia on Ukraine amidst setbacks faced by President Vladimir Putin’s forces on the battlefield.
Sources within the US Government suggested that interventions from PM Modi and other global leaders, notably Chinese President Xi Jinping, may have dissuaded Putin from executing his alleged plan to target Ukraine with a nuclear missile in 2022.
“US officials indicate that diplomatic initiatives and public statements from leaders such as Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi contributed to defusing the crisis,” the CNN report highlighted.
Amidst escalating tensions as Ukrainian forces advanced towards Kherson, concerns arose regarding the potential encirclement of entire Russian units. Furthermore, Moscow purportedly insinuated that Ukraine could resort to deploying a “dirty bomb.” This prompted fears within the US administration that a significant defeat at Kherson might prompt Russia to resort to nuclear options under the guise of countering a dirty bomb threat.
In efforts to prevent such a dire scenario, the US sought backing from non-aligned nations, including Bharat, to dissuade Russia from resorting to extreme measures.
A senior official from the US administration asserted, “We not only directly conveyed our concerns but also actively encouraged other nations, who might carry more weight, to do the same.”
The official further suggested the collective engagement of nations like Bharat and China might have influenced Russia’s decision-making process.
Bharat’s consistent condemnation of civilian casualties and advocacy for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict underscored its commitment to global stability. In September 2022, PM Modi conveyed to Putin during the SCO summit in Uzbekistan that “this is not the era of war,” indicating Bharat’s determination to pursue avenues towards peace.
